Justin Trudeau apologises after ‘brownface’ image emerges
Canadian PM admits that the photograph ‘was a racist thing to do’
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has apologised for wearing brownface make-up to a party in 2001, describing it as “a racist thing to do”.
Time magazine has published a photograph of Trudeau with brown make-up on his face, neck and hands and wearing a turban. It originally appeared in a school yearbook, while Trudeau, then 29, was working as a teacher.
He said: “I apologise profoundly. I regret it deeply. I’m deeply sorry I did that, I should have known better. It was something I should not have done. I didn’t think it was racist at the time, but now I see, it was a racist thing to do.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The scandal could hardly be more poorly timed for the Canadian prime minister. The Guardian says it marks “a potential turning point in next month’s tightly contested general election”.
The PM’s main opponent, the Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, said he was “extremely shocked and disappointed” by the photograph, and said it showed that his rival was “unfit” to lead Canada.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic party, said: “The people who see this image are going to think about all the times in their life that they were made fun of, that they were hurt... that they were insulted, that they were made to feel less, because of who they are.”
Green party leader, Elizabeth May, said she was also “deeply shocked” and demanded that Trudeau apologised.
As Trudeau did just that, he also revealed that when he was in high school he dressed up for a talent show and sang Day O, a traditional Jamaican folk song, “with make-up on”.
He said: “Obviously I regret that I did it. I’m pissed off at myself, obviously.”
What effect the incident has on the 21 October general election remains to be seen, but Trudeau can ill afford any problems in what is proving to be a tight race. Opinion polls suggest he and Scheer are deadlocked in the popular vote.
Time magazine says Trudeau “has championed minority groups” in office and “made his embrace of Canada’s many cultures a major part of his leadership”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Canada and India expel top diplomats in growing rift
Speed Read Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there is 'clear and compelling evidence' of crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
India and Canada expel diplomats amid murder row
Speed Read New Delhi denies allegations linking Indian intelligence services to assassination of Sikh separatist last year
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published